Today, on September 17, at the meeting between Mr. Villu Reiljan, the Minister of the Environment, and the owners of Older Grupp was stated that contradictions in the acts do not allow making decisions at the moment and Older Grupp withdrew its submitted permit application for marketing corn MON-810 in Estonia and the proceeding of permit application for corn T25 was suspended. That doesn`t mean the end to growing corn in Estonia because growing officially registered varieties will continue. On June 16, Older Grupp OÜ submitted permit application for marketing corn MON-810 to the Minstry of the Environment. On August 22, application for marketing corn T25 was submitted also. According to the law, the Advisory Committee for Genetic Modification had 3 months to proceed the permit application and on August 15, they presented their decision to the Minister. The decision of the Committee was positive and claimed that negative effects on environment and on health were not ascertained. "Our interest now is not to bring genetically modified organisms into Estonia, the two applications submitted were induced due to the trifle of genetically modified organisms discovered in the corn. It is necessary to define the limit values of casual pollution and specify the order of granting permits," said Older Grupp OÜ. " We greatly support the establishment of internationally accredited laboratory in Estonia". "We are facing legislation fallen behind the times, out of which will have to be removed variances and which needs to be brought into conformity with the new directive of European Union", said Mr. Villu Reiljan, Minister of the Environment. For additional information please contact: Mr. Siim Older Mr. Hindrek Older Ms. Annika Velthut Ms. Marit Pukk |
